The conventional progressive wisdom is that the Trump Administration will be bad for cities and for transit users. But in recent decades, a unified Republican government has been better for public transit than a divided government.

An efficient and equitable transport system must be diverse to serve diverse travel demands. Planners need better tools to quantify and communicate the benefits of walking, cycling and public transit to sometimes skeptical decision makers.

Syracuse Confronts 'Most Important Civic Decision in 60 Years'

To demolish, or not to demolish? As Syracuse considers what to do with its aged elevated highway, special interests are mobilizing to prevent tearing down the crumbling I-81 viaduct and replacing it with an urban boulevard, says David M. Rubin.

"Call me naive, but I cling to the belief that the decision on replacing the crumbling I-81 viaduct is going to be made in the long-term best interests of the city," says Rubin. "This is, after all, the most important civic decision of the past 60 years or more. It will shape the city for as long as most of us are alive. Given that Syracuse could use a Red Bull energy jolt, we need a solution that will position the city for growth and livability, one that will make an optimistic statement about our future."

"But storm clouds are gathering," he laments. "Now that the end game in this lengthy deliberative process is approaching, my hope for statesmanship looks imperiled. The special interests are massing, and the lobbying is well underway."

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